Molokai – The Historic And Beautiful Halawa Valley

Hidden away down a single road on the East side of this gorgeous island is Halawa Valley. After winding round the southern coast you turn a corner and … wow… laid before you is a gorgeous bay that if you pan around from leads upstream through stunning greenery to towering natural waterfalls.

If you want to experience and learn about Hawaii, the ancient cultures, the people that lived in the area then this is one excursion you cannot miss. Our guide Pilipo Solatorio, a man with great passion, was born and raised in the valley. His grandfather taught him the old traditions when he was a child and thankfully he is able to pass history down to us before it was lost.

All the way up the 2 mile trail to the falls you can see signs of an old old civilisation amongst the tropical green thick forest. Ancient stone pathways, remains of houses/places of worship and even ancient birthing stones nestled deep in the vines and leaves. The area was said to have been inhabited as far back as 650 AD.

Whilst you are mesmerised with the sights around Pilipo has a vast amount of knowledge and tradition to pass on to you along the route. The pride in evidence you cannot fail to learn. This is not just a tour to see trees and beautiful waterfalls in paradise, this is also a trip for culture.

Suddenly, the trees open and.. there they are.. the 250-foot Mooula Falls. Double tiered falling down the mountainside and into the start of the valley. A sight you can spend hours gazing at, in total peace and only the sound of water falling and birds. And yes, pack your swimming gear as you can swim below the falls in the natural pool that has formed before the river.

A beautiful day, a learning day, a day many should experience. I love Molokai, and will be back for more I am so sure

Please note the trail passes over private land and the area is restricted to guided hikes only. The guides make the difference anyway. You can book the tour via the hotel.

AboutPaul Steele

Founder of BaldHiker.com and avid hiker, climber and trekker. Never liking to sit still and always seeking new adventures around the world. Sharing personal views here and tweeting live via @paul_steele

Beautiful images. I hiked the valley several years ago with Lawrence Aki, whom I described as "a determined visionary who is restoring his family’s traditional taro fields and introducing visitors to the history and spirituality of the Hawai’ian peoples via his cultural guided hikes on private land to a beautiful waterfall." At that time, the Molokai Ranch was still welcoming visitors both at the beautiful Lodge at Molokai Ranch and in a remote complex of tentalows where people came to learn Hawaiian music, dance and other traditions.